All summer, the Detroit Pistons have been dealing with a brutal Jalen Duren problem. He’s a restricted free agent, and the two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a new deal. Even if Duren ends up coming back (which seems likely), there may end up being some ill feelings. But if there were to be any silver lining, it would be Paul Reed. The Pistons are finally going to see just how good Reed can be.
During the playoffs this past year, Reed showed serious talent. Enough talent to warrant an extended chance next season. So, that’s what the Pistons are seemingly giving him. Even if and when Duren does re-sign for next season, Reed is still going to be the primary back. He’s going to play a ton of minutes for the Pistons next season.
And if he can give the Pistons what he gave them in the postseason – but on a more consistent basis – then they will have found an absolute steal.
Paul Reed will have chance to blossom
There is no replacing Duren. The 22-year-old big man is one of the better centers in the league and an integral piece of the puzzle in Detroit. The Pistons need him to be at their best.
So, it’s in the Pistons’ best interest to figure out a way to bring Duren into the picture. However, they would probably want to avoid him coming back on the qualifying offer, because then he’d be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
In the meantime, it seems obvious that some ugly feelings are going to come out of this Duren situation. Again, even if Duren does return, he’ll probably be upset.
Enter Reed. He’ll be the backup heading into next season, but it could end up being even more than that. He could be the most important backup center in the NBA next season.
Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies this summer. That shows just how much it believes in Reed. And now, the Pistons are dealing with even more uncertainty in the center room.
That makes Reed even more important than the Pistons may have expected him to be. Outside of him and Duren, their only centers are two-way centers Isaac Jones and Ugonna Onyenso (a rookie).
But if Reed can take a big enough leap next season, then the Pistons will be in a great spot. Reed may have the chance to blossom into something great.
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